Here we are with the holidays before us. I’m writing this on Halloween, staring at my neighbors’ displays of skeletons and spiders. In a few short weeks, we’ll see pumpkin displays amid the fall foliage as we celebrate Thanksgiving. And then will come the inflatable reindeer and the life-sized Santas, along with light displays that make the neighborhood seem like fairy land.

But you can’t keep seasonal decor up all year. One thing’s for sure: organizing holiday supplies and decorations can be a game-changer, especially when it comes to preserving your sanity during the festive season. I asked Deborah U., client relations manager (as well as star art-hanger) at The Move Makers, for her advice on dealing with holiday décor. Here’s what she had to say:

 “Thanks for thinking of me as an expert, Michael, but what I know about organizing holiday décor, I was taught by Carolyn (owner and founder of The Move Makers.) Here are the steps she taught me:

Sort by Season:

a) Organize your holiday decor by season. Group items related to Spring/Easter, Summer, Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Winter, and the holidays. To keep things in check, It is helpful to designate a fixed amount of storage space in your home for each holiday.

b) Use clear bins for each season. Transparent containers allow you to see what’s inside without opening them. Carolyn prefers using file box sized bins when possible, since they are easier to lift and move.

Label the Bins:

a) Label each bin with the specific season or holiday. For example, write “Spring/Easter” on one end of the bin. This simple step makes it easy to identify the contents without rummaging through multiple boxes. Carolyn uses sticky notes to label bins and writes exactly what items are inside each time she repacks the bins. She also adds the current year on the label. This helps her keep track of items that have not been displayed for a while and may be ready to pass along or discard. 

Rotation System:

a) If you are short on storage space, swap out decor from the past season and replace it with decor for the current season, using the same bins you just emptied. For instance, if you’re decorating for Winter or Christmas, put away Fall items in the Winter/Christmas bins. Clever idea Deborah!

Sorting and Donating:

a) While you’re swapping out decor, take the opportunity to sort through your items. If you’re not planning to use certain holiday decor, consider donating it immediately. Timely donations allow someone else to enjoy the decorations right away, and it keeps your collection manageable.

Thank you, Deborah (and Carolyn), for this sound advice. Remember, an organized holiday storage system not only saves time but also helps you fully enjoy each season without feeling overwhelmed. Happy decorating!